Slidin’ Thru: Q Money

Q Money isn’t just a rapper, he’s an entertainer. Signed to Think It’s A Game Records alongside Rich Homie Quan and YFN Lucci, the Cleveland native comes with endless charm and personality that audiences can’t help but gravitate towards. It was the release of his viral hit “Work,” that gained him the attention he needed to be seen in the rap game. The official music video clocked in at almost 2 million views on YouTube, not even a month after its release. Read more…

Now, he returns with a new mixtape titled Neva Had Shit, telling a story of a young man who changed his life for the better.

For those who don’t know, who is Q Money?Q Money is a kid from the bottom, who kicked his way into the industry with dancing and just sticking to being him. Being him is what got him to where he at today.

How’d you get your name?I love the movie New Jack City, and Gee Money was my favorite character until he turned into a fiend at the end. I thought, “Yo, that’s G Money, and my name is Q. I should turn my name into Q Money.” So New Jack City got me the name.

Where do you fit in the rap game?I’ve got my own lane. I’m the type that can make a real hardcore rap song, and then switch it up, and damn near be singing on the song. I can do it all. I can dance. I can do it all. I just can’t be in a box.

You’re from Cleveland. How does that play into your life, and your career?Cleveland made me who I am. Being from there, it made me be able to embrace the struggle and embrace the hard times. If you can make it in Cleveland, you can make it anywhere because it’s such a hard crowd. That made me be able to… If some people don’t know me, it’s cool. I can handle it.

How important is it to come to LA as an up and coming artist?LA is important because it makes you feel like a superstar. You get the superstar vibes. All the superstars are out here. Hollywood Walk of Fame and all that. Hell yeah, it’s a good vibe. All the record labels are out here. Just going into offices… you feel the history of music and where it came from.

Talk about the making of “Work.” Did you foresee it going viral?Yeah actually, I did! I seen that going viral. I said, “I’m going to do these moves, in this outfit, to this song, and it’s gonna go!” I manifested on that one.

You’re opening for YFN Lucci tonight. Talk about being linking with him.We’re labelmates on Think It’s A Game records. Rich Homie Quan is on there, Trinidad James, we all on the same label. Linking with Lucci though, at first, we didn’t really have a bond. Then we grew on each other, and that’s my brother now.

Piggybacking off your video, “Countin’ Up a Check,” what did you do with your first advance?Oh you know, when I first got it, I gave my momma some money. ‘Cause I had to put it in her account anyways, because child support is shit. That was the first thing I did. Then after that, I went to the mall, put some money up. I made a new bank account, stuck it in savings. Shit like that.

Your #QMoneyChallenge popped off. How important is social media for your career?Social media is 80% of my career, 20% is the music. It’s 80% because social media gives you the chance to show your personality. You get to show who you really are. So it’s important to the music industry in this time and age.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?I see myself winning the Country Music Award, Pop Music Award, a Grammy, even the Nickelodeon Award. Every award that can be won, I’ma win that shit!

What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be selling drugs.

What’s the best encounter you’ve had with a fan?When a girl started crying because she saw me.

Who’s the most played artist on your phone?Oooh, that’s a hard one. Hmm, me! I’m the most played artist!

Besides you.Lil Durk. [Starts singing “Granny Crib” by Lil Durk] That’s my shit. I listen to that all the time.